2012-2013

Graduate Conducting Assistants

Matt Esau

Matt Esau is entering his second year as a Graduate Assistant pursuing his Masters of Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting.  Originally from Walton, Kansas, he holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Pittsburg State University.

While attending Pittsburg State University, Matt performed with the Pittsburg State Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble 1, Jazz Lab Band, Southeast Kansas Symphony, Northland Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburg Community Theatre, Mexican Marimba Ensemble, Pride of the Plains Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble.  He studied conducting with Dr. Craig Fuchs, percussion with Dr. James Clanton and was co-founder of the university’s first percussion organization.

For the last three years, Matt has taught fourth-twelfth grade band and general music at Halstead Public Schools and in 2008-2009 was the percussion instructor at Sterling College.  He continues to perform as a percussionist with the Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra and is constantly working as a clinician to percussion sections/drumlines across Kansas and Missouri.

Trent Warbis

Trent Warbis is a first year Graduate Teaching Assistant with the WSU Bands pursuing an M.M. in Instrumental Conducting degree with Dr. Victor Markovich. Trent is also the Assistant Director of the Shocker Sound Basketball Band. Originally from Boise, Idaho, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Boise State University.

While attending Boise State, Trent performed with the University Orchestra and the University Symphonic Winds, including traveling with the Symphonic Winds to play at the CBDNA National Convention in Seattle, Washington in 2011. He guest conducted the Boise State All-Campus band, and was also a member of the Blue Thunder Marching Band for three years, one of which he served as section leader.  He has studied conducting with Professor Marcellus Brown, and trumpet with Professor Brown and Dennis Keck, a member of the Boise Philharmonic.

Jamie Shepherd

Jamie Shepherd is entering her second year as a graduate Assistant pursuing her Masters of Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting. Originally from central Oklahoma, she holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

While attending the University of Central Oklahoma, Jamie performed with the UCO Wind Symphony, UCO Concert Band, UCO Marching Band, and UCO Orchestra. Jamie also studied conducting under Dr. Brian Lamb and studied clarinet under Dr. Jerry Neil Smith.

Jamie has taught clarinet lessons and has volunteered at schools in Oklahoma and Kansas working with band students. She is a current member of KKPSI and NAfME.

2012-2013

Jazz Studies and Jazz Arts Graduate Assistant

Dan Flores

Dan Flores is a returning graduate student pursuing his Masters in Music with an emphasis in trumpet performance studying with Dr. David Hunsicker.  A Hutchinson and Wichita area native, Dan holds a Bachelor of Music in trumpet from Wichita State University.  Dan has done additional graduate studies at Roosevelt University (Chicago), Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago), and at the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

As a professional trumpet player, Dan has performed in various orchestral and jazz freelance groups in Chicago, as well as solo work across the city.  In Wichita, he has performed with the Epic Brass Quintet, The Swing Daddies, and as a soloist.  At Wichita State, Dan was a winner of the Concerto Aria Competition, performing the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto with the WSU Symphony Orchestra in 2004.  He also performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under Dr. Markovich.   In Hutchinson, Dan performed with the Hutchinson Community College Jazz I and combo under Bryce Luty from 1995-2000.

Dan taught band in the public school systems for two years and continues to teach privately. 
His principal teachers in addition to Dr. Hunsicker include William Scarlett of the Chicago Symphony, Tim Morrison from the Los Angeles area, as well as additional brief studies with Philip Smith of the New York Philharmonic, and Goni Eshed, a protégé of Hakan Hardenberger.

2012-2013

Studio Graduate Assistants

Flute

Oboe

Bassoon

Clarinet

Saxophone

Trumpet

Horn

Trombone

Percussion